Horrible Things at the Fringe Fest – A Review!

What a horrible show. That’s a compliment as that was the goal of this 50 minute gem now playing at the St-Ambroise Fringe Festival. The show stars Award-winning comedian DeAnne Smith and musician Leighland Beckman.

First off, it’s not a show for the faint of heart. No topic appears off-limits, and while content will surely vary from performance to performance (guest stars!), this opening night featured such thrilling topics as: a car antenna stuck in a urethra, prolapsed assholes and audience rapists. Shocked? Disturbed? Intrigued? The show is absolutely offensive and really intended for those with a twisted sense of humour.

What is “Horrible Things”?

The answer isn’t simple. Stand-up comedy? Improv sketch show? Musical performance? Confessional? All of the above. The evening starts one way (write down the most horrible thing you’ve ever done – answers are shared during the finale but don’t worry, anonymity is an option) and transforms frequently. It’s the type of offering perfectly matched with the Fringe Festival, often flirting close to (and past) the edge of good taste.

DeAnne Smith is a joy to watch. A quick-witted comedian with a brilliant sense of timing, she’s a natural on the mic (not a surprise since she’s nominated for ‘Best Female Comedian’ at theCanadian Comedy Awards). Leighland Beckman is a wonder, providing musical ambiance and perfectly placed ad-libs (think Marvin Gaye meets Paul Shaffer – on a bass guitar).

On opening night the show went 20 minutes past its 50 minute scheduled run so our audience was treated to an “extended” or “uncut” edition of what will show for the rest of the festival. Fringe is strict about show length but often forgiving on opening night. Already great, when DeAnne and Leighland condense the best parts into their allotted time, “Horrible Things” will be a rapid-fire celebration of the offensive and a soliloquy to the politically incorrect.